“Let’s sit down with Brice again, and this time we demand he tell us everything.”
Gareth laughed. “And you really think that will work? Because if someone demanded we do something we didn’t want to do, I don’t think they’d be leaving happy at all.”
“You’re right. I’m just . . . unsure what to do. And I definitely don’t like the idea of you in Tabiq by yourself. If Brice finds out you’re probing for info, there is going to be hell to pay. I can’t have your back from where I am.”
“And I don’t need you to. Trust me. I’m not going to stir the pot. Just here on vacation, that’s all. Oh. I’m meeting with Alex Henderson too.”
“What the hell for?” Dylan snapped.
“To sell him steel of course.”
“You want to do business with them now?” Dylan asked.
“Nope. But I’m going to make it look like I do. Hence why I’m here in Tabiq. Just a sales call, that’s all.”
“You’re fucking nuts if you think they are going to believe that.”
“Dylan, Alex doesn’t know about us. He’s just going to look at me and tell me no. That simple. No worries.”
“Great. You’re in a foreign country taking on a family that doesn’t want to know us. At least if you don’t make it back, I’ll know where to start looking.”
“We’re not dealing with murderers here.”
“And you know that how?” Dylan asked. “Exactly. You’re there because we don’t know what we’re dealing with. Every time we think it is bad, it seems to get worse.”
“And that is why we need to know. I don’t give a shit what James Henderson did. But if a Lawson was connected, and I don’t just mean Aunt Audrey, then we need to know.”
“You don’t have to worry, I’m not telling Charles anything about this. If he knew what you were doing, he’d be on a flight there to confront your ass.”
“I don’t answer to him, Dylan.” I don’t answer to anyone.
“Try telling him that. Hey, Sofia is calling me. I’ve got to go. You better check in with me every day or I will tell him. Got it?”
“Sure. Daily updates. Got it.” Gareth ended the call. Dylan was at the breaking point, and this was just another weight on his shoulders. He wasn’t sure calling him was the right thing to do, but it was too late now.
He slipped his phone in his pocket and made his way downstairs. When he arrived at the lobby he asked the front desk if Alex Henderson had arrived yet.
“He has. Is there something I can assist you with?”
“I was hoping to meet with him.”
“Do you have an appointment?” she asked.
Do I need one?“No. Why don’t you just call him and let him know Gareth Lawson from Lawson Steel is here.”
She looked at him for a moment, picked up the phone, and made the call. She whispered so low he couldn’t hear her. When she hung the receiver up she turned back to Gareth and said, “He’ll be right up. If you’d like to take a seat, it’ll be a few minutes.”
“Thank you.” He walked over to stand by the large stone fireplace, one he couldn’t picture ever being lit. The climate here was different levels of hot. At least it was a dry heat, unlike a tropical island where the humidity was unbearable. Overall, he had to admit, the Hendersons had pulled off one hell of a resort. They used natural resources to generate the electricity and, from what he’d seen so far, most of their food was grown or raised here as well. There wasn’t much New Hope needed the outside world for. He didn’t believe that was an accident. But why create a place for people to come if they didn’t want them here? He was missing something. As Alex entered the lobby, it seemed as though he was about to find out.
“Hello. I’m Alex Henderson. You wanted to speak to me?”
Gareth extended his hand. “I’m Gareth Lawson with Lawson Steel. I’m currently a guest here, but I was hoping you had time to discuss a bit of business.”
“I don’t believe you’re one of our contractors,” Alex stated.
“No we are not.” And I don’t think we ever will be.
“I’m not the person you want to speak to regarding contracts. You might want to call our Boston office and ask to speak to Dean or Shaun. Either of them could assist you. I hope you didn’t travel all this way just to meet with me.”